Should women be allowed to serve alcohol?

The female touch lends grace and elegance to the hospitality industry, said a Delhi high court verdict on January 12, 2006, on a plea challenging restrictions on the fair sex serving alcohol to customers.

The court had, however, clarified that though the order permitted women to be employed for the purpose of serving alcohol, they cannot at the same time be compelled to do the task against their consent.

Now the issue is back in focus. On a petition filed against the high court order by Anuj Garg and four others, the Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre, the Delhi government, the Hotel Association of India and six others. The petitioners submitted that imposing restrictions on women serving alcohol did not amount to violation of either the fundamental right to equality or the right to choose a profession of choice.

The petition also points out that the high court was not justified in ignoring the social conditions prevailing in Delhi, and its high rate of crimes against women.

Should women be allowed to serve alcohol? Will women ever get to be bartenders? Tell us.